Miraculous Reunion – Dog Rescued Days After Fatal Boating Accident

A dog, presumed to have drowned after a horrible boating accident which claimed the life of a 47-year-old San Jose, California, resident on Monday, was found and rescued on Thursday. The Marin County Fire Department released the details of the Labrador retriever’s miraculous rescue on April 6.

The dog, named “Yoda,” had been on the 13-foot Boston Whaler which capsized in rough surf at the mouth of Tomales Bay on April 3. Brian Phidat Ho perished in the accident, another man and dog were rescued, but Yoda vanished and was presumed to have drowned.

Against all odds, Yoda had survived and somehow made her way to shore. Her amazing survival was discovered late Thursday morning by Marin County Fire Battalion Chiefs Chris Martinelli and Graham Groneman, who were riding on rescue watercraft just offshore, scouting locations during a water rescue orientation for firefighters. As they approached Dillon Beach, a pale yellow object was spotted on shore – that “object” was Yoda.

Battalion Chief Bret McTigue recounted the rescue effort:

“They were hugging the coastline when they saw the dog hunkered down under a rocky outcropping. They went on shore and put a lifejacket on her. She was wet and shivering after a few days out in the elements.”

Amazingly, despite her harrowing ordeal, Yoda was found to be in good condition. Before being retrieved by family, the rescued Labrador retriever was able to warm up by the fireplace at the Tomales Fire Station, and she enjoyed her first real meal in days.

The Marin County Fire Department shared the heartwarming news of Yoda’s rescue with its Facebook followers:

Our sadness about Monday’s boat accident was soothed by the story of Yoda today. Salute goes out to BCs Chris Martinelli and Graham Groneman for plucking this shivering little girl off a rocky beach and reuniting her with family.

According to Battalion Chief Bret McTigue, the Yoda’s family received word of her miraculous survival during Brian Phidat Ho’s funeral. Because of the timing, attendees at the memorial service were able to hear the good news on an otherwise somber day.

Penny is a freelance writer who provided content to her National Dog News column at Examiner.com for 8 years. She is a current contributor to Fido Friendly Magazine, as well as a newly formed website, Pet Rescue Report. Penny is married and she has two rescued German shepherds and two kids.